Johnson & Johnson to Pay $158 Million to Texas

It was just a matter of time before the ugly visage of the corporate vulture became public. At last, the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $158 million to the state of Texas on claims that the company “overcharged” Medicaid and “illegally promoted” the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. Johnson & Johnson “allegedly” over-hyped the benefits of the drug and downplayed its risks. The settlement is said to be the largest Medicaid fraud settlement in state history. David Sell, Boston Herald 01/19/2012 Read Article: Boston Herald

Amerigroup Corp. Settles Medicaid Fraud Claims For $225 Million

Next time you hear that lawsuits against negligent doctors drive up the cost of medical care in the U.S, think fraud. Think, Amerigroup Corporation.

Amerigroup claims to be "the leading publicly-traded company dedicated exclusively to caring for the financially vulnerable, seniors and people with disabilities through publicly-funded programs."

Ah yes..."caring for the financially vulnerable, seniors and people with disabilities," right!

Recently, Amerigroup Corporation agreed to pay $225 million to settle federal and state claims that it defrauded the Illinois Medicaid program. The company is accused of "systematically avoiding enrolling pregnant women and unhealthy patients" because they are more expensive to treat.

So much for "the financially vulnerable, seniors and people with disabilities."

PRNewswire, PR Newswire 08/14/2008 Read Article: PR Newswire

Some Who Settled Katrina Damage Can't Sue State Farm For Fraud

In a tragic case, U.S. District Court Judge L.T. Senter Jr. ruled that State Farm policyholders who settled Katrina claims through a state mediation program couldn’t sue State Farm for the same property damage.

The plaintiff, Eldridge Boyd, sued State Farm in June 2007, claiming State Farm "conspired with adjusters and engineers to underpay wind claims." Boyd said he was owed for additional damage because he knew nothing about the "conspiracy" when he went through mediation.

Judge Santer said, "No!"

The shame is that any agreement based on "fraud" isn't fair and isn't just. Insurance companies shouldn't be allowed to profit by their own fraudulent wrongdoing.

This case is another example of indifferent conservative judges who protect corporations!

The opinion was issued in the case Boyd v. State Farm. Anita Lee, Biloxi Sun Herald 08/13/2008 Read Article: Biloxi Sun Herald